The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 48

Half a hour later, after the Eldest Princess left a message about going to bathe before “talking over wine,” Qi Yu realized what the living room was actually for: it was for waiting and killing time.

The summer night was windless and dry. Enough ice basins had been placed in the corners of the room to make it feel as cool as an autumn day, a sharp contrast to the sweltering heat outside.

Qi Yu sat blankly in the living room, staring at Han Shui.

“Why do you think the Princess bathes before dinner?” You’re about to eat and drink; won’t you just have to wash again after? What kind of habit is this?

Han Shui rolled her eyes. “How would this servant know the Mistress’s thoughts? Perhaps the Prince Consort should go bathe as well?”

Hearing this, something flashed through Qi Yu’s mind, but the sensation vanished too quickly to grasp its meaning. She only felt a strange anticipation. Would that woman come out in sheer gauze again? What color would it be this time?

She was inexplicably curious and expectant.

The first two times were plain white, the last time was light purple… what about this time? Purple seemed to look better; white was a bit too cold.

Her thoughts spiraled out of control. Qi Yu shook her head violently, catching her straying imagination. I can’t keep thinking like this. Why do I remember the details so clearly? This curiosity is dangerous.

However, she couldn’t help but guess. Waiting was boring, after all.

Her thoughts drifted back. Will it be white? The Princess seemed to like white; it matched her cool, aloof temperament. No, wait—black would actually suit her best. If it were black, that would be stunning.

An hour later, when Qi Yu saw the Princess in white gauze, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes. Dull. No surprise at all. Can’t she be a little more daring?

“Is there something wrong with my attire, Prince Consort?” The Princess looked at her own clothes. She would never be this casual in front of anyone else, and she looked slightly self-conscious.

But what was the expression on this person’s face? Disappointment?

Qi Yu blinked. “Not at all. The Princess looks very beautiful today. White is very nice.”

Beautiful! Only the clothes are beautiful? Is white beautiful?

The Princess nodded absently, then looked at Han Shui, who was standing there like a pillar. She found her presence oddly eyesore. “Han Shui, you may go. I will call you if I need anything.”

Han Shui complied, her eyes darting between the Princess and Qi Yu before she reluctantly left. Pity. I wonder who will be the first to get drunk today? Probably the Prince Consort. Should I have some strong old nannies waiting nearby to carry her back?

Qi Yu, also suspecting she would get drunk, couldn’t understand why she could handle a few beers in the modern world but failed so miserably in ancient times. The alcohol content was so low—was it just because it was rice wine? Was her constitution simply weak to traditional spirits?

To stay conscious, she decided to drink as little as possible.

“Prince Consort, let us drink this cup together.”

Qi Yu’s expression shifted. Looking at the Princess raising her glass, she had to cooperate. “Very well, let us drink.”

Seeing the Princess drain her cup, Qi Yu awkwardly looked at her own glass and skillfully left half of it behind. Luckily, these weren’t transparent glass cups, and she didn’t have to turn the cup upside down to prove it was empty.

Qi Yu was delighted. Why didn’t I think of this before? Let’s see who goes down first. Feeling emboldened, she filled her own cup to the brim and then diligently filled the Princess’s. “Princess, a toast to you.”

She tossed her head back with a flourish, faking a full gulp.

The Princess didn’t suspect a thing. Having the same intention, she also drained her cup.

Back and forth they went until two jars of wine were empty. The Princess looked at Qi Yu, who still seemed spirited, and felt a surge of doubt. Didn’t this person get drunk off one jar last time? Has her tolerance grown that much?

She had no idea that more than half of those two jars had ended up in her own cup.

Because of this doubt, the Princess forgot her original intention of “talking over wine” and focused solely on the goal of drinking enough to knock the Prince Consort out.

Qi Yu watched her drink cup after cup and couldn’t help but ask, “Is the Princess really that happy today?” It feels like she’s drowning her sorrows.

Happy?

The Princess paused and set down her cup. She should be happy.

But maybe not right now. She felt the drunkenness creeping in, while the person across from her seemed like a different person. She hasn’t passed out yet!

She bit her lip and chuckled. “I am very happy. Drink a few more cups with me, Prince Consort.”

Looking at the Princess’s forced happiness, Qi Yu understood. Girl, you aren’t truly happy.

“Alright. Today I’ll ‘risk my life to accompany a gentleman.'” She thoughtfully filled the Princess’s cup again, taking only a small sip of her own.

The cycle continued. Qi Yu inevitably began to feel a bit tipsy.

After two more jars, the Princess’s eyes were heavy with intoxication. She looked at the seated Qi Yu and asked dizzily, “How is your tolerance today… how do you seem like a different person?”

Qi Yu panicked. Oh no, I’m about to be found out.

She stayed still for three seconds, then dramatically rubbed her eyes. “So sleepy… where am I?”

With that, she flopped onto the table, pretending to have fallen asleep. She didn’t dare move. My acting was natural enough, right?

Qi Yu lay there secretly gloating, but then realized: Wait, this is the Princess’s room. Won’t I be carried out?

She had been reckless. Should she stand up now and pretend she hadn’t fully passed out? It’s better to walk back supported than to be carried back like luggage.

Wait?

Qi Yu felt the person across the table stand up. she stayed still to see what the Princess would do. If she called servants to carry her, she’d “wake up” then.

But the Princess didn’t move. Did she fall asleep standing up?

After a long time, just as Qi Yu was about to actually fall asleep, she heard a new movement.

The Princess didn’t have the ability to sleep standing up; she was just drunk, so her processing was slow. She had stood there for a long time, almost forgetting where she was.

Looking at the person slumped on the table, her subconscious wanted to get closer. She stepped toward Qi Yu.

Then, another long pause. Qi Yu, feeling the person standing right behind her, felt her heart thumping against her ribs. This was terrifying.

What is she doing behind me? Is she going to attack me? She recalled that night in Pingman Province long ago. Waking up sore with rope marks on her wrists, as if she had been abused… was the villain finally revealing her true colors?

Will I experience it while conscious this time? This is too intense.

Qi Yu wanted to cry. She wondered if “waking up” now would save her, or if she’d just be knocked unconscious.

The next second, the person behind her finally moved. Qi Yu closed her eyes and relaxed her limbs, letting the Princess do as she pleased.

The Princess looked at the “sleeping” person. After a while, it registered: Sleeping should be done in bed.

Driven by her intoxication, she acted immediately. She lifted Qi Yu from the table and carried her over, placing her on the bed within a few steps.

The eyes-closed Qi Yu: “…”

This isn’t fair. It was so hard for me to carry her, but why does she carry me with no pressure? This is cheating! Martial artists should be nerfed; using ‘hacks’ isn’t real skill!!!

After placing her down, the Princess even thoughtfully removed her shoes. Then, she leaned over the bedside, quietly watching Qi Yu’s sleeping face. After a while, she reached out her hand, tracing the clean features. A pure smile appeared in her eyes.

It was like a child who had received a desired candy—simple and satisfied, filled only with joy.

Qi Yu tensed her body, allowing the Princess’s hand to move across her face.

Just touching the eyebrows. I’ll endure it.

Just touching the nose. I’ll continue to endure.

…Fine, it’s just a finger on the corner of the mouth. It’s fine, I can endure…

The dry, warm finger moved from the corner of her mouth to her chin. Will she go further down?

Qi Yu: !!! I can’t endure this!

Her eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, trying to make her expression natural. “Princess? Where am I?”

“The Prince Consort is drunk, in my bed.” The Princess seemed to think for a moment to find the right answer.

“Is that so? Then I should go back to my room to sleep.” Qi Yu rubbed her eyebrows, her eyes downcast, staring at the Princess’s hand. I’m awake now; can you take your hand off me?

The Princess frowned, a flash of confusion in her eyes before she smiled again. “The Prince Consort is drunk. You must sleep here.”

Qi Yu froze. “Princess, I’m not drunk.”

“You are drunk.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Princess, how many is this?” Qi Yu held up two fingers in a peace sign, waving them slightly in front of the Princess’s eyes.

The Princess’s gaze was blurry. She looked at the fingers, then at Qi Yu’s face, and finally at her own hand still touching Qi Yu’s chin.

She withdrew her hand.

Qi Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she let go. But then, her two fingers were grabbed.

The Princess’s eyes shimmered with mirth. She flattened Qi Yu’s hand, then interlaced their fingers, gripping tightly. “The Prince Consort is drunk.”

Qi Yu’s heart stalled for a beat.

Fine. I’m not the drunk one—she is. Diagnosis confirmed.

There was no point arguing with a drunk person; you won’t win.

So she nodded submissively. “The Princess is right. I am drunk.”

“I like the drunk Prince Consort.” The Princess squeezed her hand, a soft smile on her face.

“What do you like about me?” This woman’s taste is really terrible. Based on the current situation, the original host was likely the one who caused the Princess’s death. Being a “self-destructive” person is one thing, but dragging others down is a sin.

“What do I like?” The Princess repeated softly, then went silent again.

“Yeah, what do you like about me?” Qi Yu repeated.

“What do I like?”

Qi Yu: “…” I am a sinner. Why am I trying to logic with a drunk person?

She tried to pull her hand away. Hiss, she couldn’t move it. This woman really… her taste is bad, why is she fixated on me?

Wait a minute…

Qi Yu looked into the Princess’s eyes, her expression turning solemn. “I’ll ask you one question; answer properly. When did you start liking me? You met me before that martial arts trial, didn’t you?”

Even though I was in last place, I was still selected. Did this woman have a crush on the original host for a long time?

Qi Yu felt a strange blockage in her heart.